open me
The old box said, “stored December 10, 1995, at 4:30 pm” “open me someday” so 27 years later, on December 10 at 4:30, I did just that. Most objects in the box were ordinary things like candlesticks, salt and pepper shakers, sugar and creamers, and ashtrays. There were a few long-forgotten surprises, like the fourleaf clover in the chicken box and the teeth, but before I sent them off to a thrift store, I...
Barbara’s ginkgo tree 2022 update
UPDATE I have been following Barbara”s tree (and others) for years, and this year most leaves fell on November 12, but for the first time, they did not fall all at once, and there are still some leaves clinging on. At exactly 9:32 am on Saturday, November 11, 2017, every leaf fell off Barbara’s ginkgo tree. This came as no surprise, although a little late. Most years, it’s the 4th or 5th of November. This tree knows...
Pretty. Simple.
Teacup, shallow bowl, anything that can hold a bit of water can hold a single flower or six or more. A moving composition, by...
You have your grandmother’s eyes.
That is what everyone used to say. My grandma Margaret (my dad’s mom), that is. I don’t think I looked like her at all, but we spent a lot of time together, summers, and every chance I got. Eccentric. That is how people described her. Bold, creative, risk-taker, that is how I saw her. She has been gone for over 30 years, but she is with me every day. Margaret was a trailblazer. She owned a bar, was a seamstress who...
art, imitating life
When My daughter Lucy was about to turn 16 I wanted to publish a Happy Birthday post for her. I poured through photos of past birthdays, school days, and sports photos mostly when she was really little, so many cute photos and stories. But, then I thought of this photo taken of her for a great project I worked on for SWAN Day. She was 13 when this was this shot and I think it pretty much sums up anything I could ever say except Love...
Welcome to Creatively Speaking
My name is Pat Klug, welcome to Creatively Speaking. Here I share short stories, recipes, design ideas, art, and lots of other fun life tidbits. I even have guest cooks who stop by to cook up some of their favorite recipes. I’ve been a well-known creative director here in Pittsburgh and beyond all my life, but I like to think of myself as 1/3 designer, 1/3 consultant, 1/3 home cook, and 100% family girl. Hope you enjoy! Drop me...